Advertisment

Cindy Williams, Sitcom Icon Dies At 75

Cindy Williams, a famous 70s sitcom icon who played Shirley Feeney in the TV sitcom Happy Days and its spinoff Laverne & Shirley, died at 75, as per the Associated Press report.

author-image
STP Reporter
New Update
Cindy Williams
Cindy Williams, a famous 70s sitcom icon who played Shirley Feeney in the TV sitcom Happy Days and its spinoff Laverne & Shirley, died at 75, as per the Associated Press report.
Advertisment

Williams's children Zak and Emily Hudson conveyed in a statement that Williams died in Los Angeles on January 25 after a brief illness. The news was also posted on Williams’ official website.

Cindy Williams Was Brilliant Actor

The statement read- “The passing of our kind, hilarious mother, Cindy Williams, has brought us insurmountable sadness that could never truly be expressed. Knowing and loving her has been our joy and privilege. She was one of a kind, beautiful, generous, and possessed a brilliant sense of humor and a glittering spirit that everyone loved.”

Cindy Williams was one of the most popular actors during the 1970s and 1980s. She got her big break in 1975 with the character of Shirley on Happy Days. The pairing of Shirley and Laverne played by Penny Marshall became so popular that it carved its own spinoff, Laverne & Shirley, which revolved around the friends’ lives as roommates and co-workers at Shotz Brewery. The eight seasons become the most-watched show on television by its third season and received six Golden Globes nominations and one Emmy nomination. Williams quit the show in its final season after becoming pregnant with her first child.

Williams was born in Van Nuys, California on August 22, 1947. Williams married Bill Hudson of the Hudson Brothers from 1982 to 2000, Later, they divorced and were survived by her two children, Zak and Emily. 

Williams's love for acting started at an early age during her time at Birmingham High School. She did a theater major at Los Angeles City College. She picked up small roles on shows like Room 222, Barefoot in the Park, Nanny and the Professor, and Love, American Style.

Advertisment

Laurie Henderson's role in George Lucas’ 1973 coming-of-age film American Graffiti brought her a BAFTA nomination for best actress in a supporting role. After maternity break, Williams returned to sitcoms in the ’90s with Normal Life and Getting By.  She acted in many series and films such as Bingo, 7th Heaven, Meet Wally Sparks, For Your Love, The Biggest Fan, Strip Mall, 8 Simple Rules, Girlfriends, and more.

Williams was currently working on a new show that is set to premiere this year in April. According to Variety, “Cindy was keen on promoting her new project, the short-form musical series, Sami to be premiere on Amazon Prime. 


Suggested Reading- US Women-Led Startups Received 1.9% Of Total Capital Funds, Less Than 2021

Cindy Williams
Advertisment